Voice of the people (letter).

2 Different Cases

June 12, 1994|By Barbara A. McDonald.

CHICAGO — I feel compelled to respond to the numerous items in the Tribune and elsewhere characterizing feminists and others as hypocrites for supporting Anita Hill but failing to support Paula Jones. Only the most simple-minded could believe there is an inconsistency in responding differently to these two very different cases.

Anita Hill disclosed that she was sexually harassed in response to questions about a rumor to that effect posed by those investigating Clarence Thomas' background to determine his fitness for the Supreme Court. Hill neither sought nor gained anything for herself from her disclosure.

By contrast, Paula Jones has filed a lawsuit seeking money. Although she claims that she will give the money to charity, many people have correctly noted that she has not promised to donate the money she receives from talk show appearances, articles or books. Moreover, prior to filing her lawsuit, Jones attempted to obtain money or a job for herself and/or her husband in exchange for her silence.

Jones cannot even claim that she is motivated by a desire to inform the public about a president' fitness for office since she chose to file her lawsuit after Clinton had been in office for more than a year.

Thus, it should not be a big mystery why many of Anita Hill's supporters are not rushing to Paula Jones' side. On the other hand, there simply is no possible legitimate reason why conservatives like Rush Limbaugh, Jerry Falwell and Pat Buchanan denigrated Anita Hill but are supporting Paula Jones.